Sheriff: Registered sex offenders face charges for violations

One man was arrested and two more have warrants for their arrest after the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office conducted a sex offender address verification last month.

On Jan. 22, Sheriff Alan Norman said deputies checked in with 91 registered sex offenders to ensure they were in compliance and still living at the correct address.

"The verification checks identified 16 that were in possible violation," Norman said. "As a result of the verification checks, three registered sex offenders were charged, five verified that they still resided at their respective addresses and eight are still under investigation."

Ronnie David Rich, 22, of 221 Adrian St. in Mt. Holly, was arrested and charged with failing to report a change of address for a sex offender, according to Norman.

Two more men have outstanding warrants for their arrest.

Norman said deputies are looking for Ricky Jerard Johnson, 42, of 603 Hamrick St. in Shelby.

Officers are also seeking information on Johnny Boyce Clark, 25, of 2070 Diggers Lake Road in Shelby for failing to return verification notice.

"Any information that could assist the sheriff's office as to (the two men's) whereabouts will be held in strictest confidence," Norman said. "This is going to be an ongoing project of the sheriff's office to conduct these unannounced checks regarding these sex offenders."

He said with the agency's limited resources, the sheriff's office will continue to check in with offenders throughout the year, exceeding the state's requirements of a once-a-year check.

"We encourage any citizen that may have an offender living...in the neighborhood, if they feel they are out of compliance, call the sheriff's office and...we'll determine if they are in compliance," Norman said. "Oftentimes, with limited resources, when we do receive information from citizens it's just like having extra employees out in the field."

If anyone has information on Johnny Clark or Ricky Johnson, call the sheriff's office at 704-484-4788.

Reach reporter Rebecca Clark at 704-669-3344 or rclark@shelbystar.com or follow on Twitter @TheStarRebecca.